December 30, 2003

HON. DELIA DOMINGO ALBERT
Secretary
Department of Foreign Affairs

ATTENTION: Usec. Jose Brilliantes
Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs

Dear Secretary Albert,

Warmest greetings!

We are writing to inform your office that the 16 stranded workers who staged a hunger strike in the Philippine Embassy's premises in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia have approached the office of Governor Prince Salman to seek assistance for their repatriation.

What these stranded workers need are their travel documents and the air tickets that the Philippine embassy should immediately provide them so that they may proceed to the Saudi immigration authorities, present the approved letter of Prince Salman and get their travel documents stamped with exit visas.

The Philippine embassy has yet to take action to immediately release their travel documents and have their exit visas stamped.

We request that your office take immediate action towards assisting these stranded workers. The families of these stranded OFW's have suffered enough of not being with them during the holiday season.

We hope to receive your office's reply soonest.

Very truly yours,

JOHN MONTERONA
Vice Chairperson
MIGRANTE Sectoral Party

cc.: Ambassador Bahnarim Guinomla, Philippine Embassy, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Mr. Virgilio Angelo, Administrator - OWWA
POLO - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Mr. Angel Borja, Jr. - Welfare Officer IV, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia